Program Graduates

The Rugby League Sports Excellence program at Marsden State High School is arguably the leading high school rugby league program in Australia.

In addition to a burgeoning trophy cabinet, our famous Program continues to experience major team and individual success, not just on the sporting field but in life in general. Essentially, this is what sets us apart from other ‘elite’ rugby league schools.

In 2016, as many as 25 Marsden State High graduates will play in the National Youth Competition (NYC), the NSW & QLD State Cup, the National Rugby League (NRL) and/or the English Super League.

Household names such as Australia/Queensland captain Cameron Smith, former Dally M Halfback winner Chris Sandow, Cowboys grand-final winner Antonio Winterstein, duel international Israel Folau, Scottish International Scott Logan and Wallabies winger come Gold Coast Titan Joe Tomane are just some of those former students whom have progressed to elite levels of competition.

Others such as current Broncos NYC fullback (2016) Corey Allan and Melbourne Storm academy player (2016) Joseph Cash-Tobin, are in the infancy of promising rugby league careers which commenced in the famous ‘Black, White, Maroon’ jersey.

All of our Program graduates, and current rugby league students, have a strong commitment to discipline and hard work, as these are the founding principles of our program.

Field and gym training sessions and academic effort are taken extremely seriously within our sports excellence program and we have high expectations of all of our participants to put in their absolute best effort at all times.

See below the extensive list of achievements by former students whom have graduated from our famous Program…

Special Achievements: 300+ NRL Matches, Dally M Medal best and fairest player (2006), Dally M Hooker of the Year (2006, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013), NRL – Most points in a season by a hooker (192) (2007), Rugby League World Golden Boot Award (2007), Dally M Captain of the Year (2011, 2013), Dally M Representative Player of the Year (2007, 2011, 2013), NRL Grand Final Runner-up (2006), NRL Grand Final Winners (2007, 2009, 2012), World Club Challenge Winners (2010, 2013)

Special Achievements: Dally M Rookie of the Year (2007), Australian Young Performer of the Year (Fairfax Sports Performer Awards) (2007), International Newcomer of the Year (RLIF Awards) (2007), Dally M Centre of the Year (2008), Premiers (Melbourne Storm) (2007), Minor Premiers (Melbourne Storm) (2008), All-time Youngest Australian International Player (18 years and 194 days), Australian Kangaroos Test Squad (3 Tests) (2007-2009), Australian Rugby League World Cup Squad (5 Matches) (2008), Queensland State of Origin Squad (8 Matches) (2008-2010), The first player to represent Queensland Under-19’s while still only 16 years old, awarded the Australian Secondary School Rugby Leagues (ASSRL) Award for the best back of the tournament, Duel International – League/Union, first NRL player to successfully convert to AFL, Most tries in a debut NRL season (21),

Year/s Attended MSHS: 2006

John (Sione) Folau

Nickname: “Mini Izzy” (In reference to being the younger brother of Israel Folau – See above)

Junior Reps: Queensland under-17 & under-19 squads, Sandow was selected for the Australian Schoolboys squad (2016) that toured Wales, England and France, where he was awarded the man-of-the-match award in the game against the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) squad

Special Achievements: 2008 Dally M Award Rookie of the Year Award, Peter Moore Award – Dally M Rookie of the Year (2008), George Green Medal for the Indigenous Rising Star (2008), Toyota Cup Halfback of the Year (2008)

Special Achievements: Sydney Roosters Junior Academy (14 years old), In late 2011, he would have become the youngest Roosters debutant in 73 years if not for a new NRL rule barring players under the age of 18 from playing first grade.